Keyboard for pianofortes and other instruments with similar keyboards



Oct. 28, 1941. w. 5. BEAVER 2,260,984

OTHER INSTRUMENTS WITH SIMILAR KEYBOARDS KEYBQARD FOR PIANOFORTES AND filed March 16, 1959 AT. 1 7/47 It P Q a Q 4 SheetsSheet l lA/Vf/V TOR WILLIAM GEO/Q 6 5 BEAVER Oct. 28, 1941. w. G. BEAVER 2,260,984

KEYBOARD FOR PIANOFORTES AND OTHER INSTRUMENTS WITH SIMILAR KEYBOARDS File d March 16, 1939 4 Sheets-$heet 2 //VVEN TOR W/LL/A/M GLWRGE BE A E/LR BY wzw o wzi/ TTORNEY Oct. 28, 1941.

w. G. BgAVER KEYBOARD FOR PIANOFOR' IES AND Filed March 16, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet s H mm n wxg v nvvE'MTbR W/LLIAM GEORGE BEAVER ATTORNEY- R KEYBOARDS Oct. 28, 1941'. w. G. BEAVER KEYBOARD FOR PIANOFORTES AND OTHER INSTRUMENTS WITH SIMILA Filed Marchl6, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 WILL/AM GEORGEBEA vm Patented Oct. 28, 1941 KEYBOARD FOR PIANOFORTES AND OTHER INSTRUMENTS WITH SIMILAR KEY- BOARDS William George Beaver, Birkdale, England Application March 16, 1939, Serial No. 262,266 In Great Britain March 16, 1938 6 Claims.

This invention relates to pianofortes and other musical instruments with similar keyboards of the kind in which, for the purpose of key change or transposition, the keyboard is mounted upon a frame having capacity for lateral movement only (i. e. as distinct from arrangements in which a keyboard carrying frame is mounted for pivotel disengagement from the action prior to lateral adjustment), provision being made for locking the frame on the completion of the transposing movement of the keyboard and to visibly indicate its then position.

A displaceable keyboard instrument of the kind referred to and according to my invention is characterised by the employment of a keyboard engaging and disengaging device or unit carried by a laterally movable frame, whereon the keyboard is mounted, and adapted to disengage the keyboard from the action before and whilst the lateral movement is effected and also to lock the frame firmly in position when the keys are reengaged with the action at the conclusion of the lateral movement.

One embodiment of my invention comprises or includes a frame structure slidably disposed for lateral movement upon stationary frame components of the instrument, lateral movement of said frame in either direction being effected by a spindle carrying a drum rotatably disposed on the underside of the stationary frame components, a wire cable or rope being coiled around the drum and having its respective ends secured to block or equivalent members secured to said laterally movable frame, one on each side of the drum; a keyboard engaging and disengaging frame or device mounted for backward and forward movement upon said laterally movable frame; a keyboard-carrying frame mounted above said keyboard engaging and disengaging frame or device; and means between said keyboard engaging and disengaging frame or device and said keyboard carrying frame whereby the latter is raised and lowered into and out of engagement with the action of the instrument; a visible indicator adapted to register the movement of said lateral- 1y movable frame; and means whereby the displaceable keyboard structure is rigidly held at the conclusion of the lateral movement.

Other subordinate features appertaining to my invention are hereinafter described and pointed out in the claiming clauses concluding this specification.

I will further describe my invention with the aid of the accompanying sheets of explanatory drawings which illustrate, by way of example only, one mode of carrying the invention into effect.

In said drawings Fig. 1 is a plan view of a displaceable frame structure-which is adapted to carry the keyboard frame-mounted upon stationary frame components of a pianoforte, end portions of said stationary frame components being broken away.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section taken as on line 2-2 Fig. 1, and viewed in the direction of the arrows.

Figs. 3 and 4 are transverse sectional elevations taken, respectively, on lines 3-3 and 4-4 Fig. 2, and viewed in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 5 is a plan view, and Fig. 6 a corresponding end View of an aligning and locking component detached from Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the keyboard frame for fitment upon the displaceable frame stucture of Fig. 1 and showing a portion of the keyboard carried thereby.

Fig. 8 is a side elevation illustrating the keyboard-carrying frame fitted upon the displaceable frame structure so as to move in conjunction therewith, the whole being mounted upon the stationary frame components of the pianoforte.

Fig. 9 is an end view of Fig. 7.

Fig. 10 is a transverse sectional elevation illustrating the keyboard-carrying frame, displaceable frame structure, and parts associated therewith, slidably mounted upon the stationary frame components.

Fig. 11 is a detail plan view of a portion of the pianoforte frame having the rail of the indicator attached thereto.

In the several views like characters of reference denote like or equivalent parts wherever they occur:-

In the drawings, l, l respectively designate front and rear fixed rail components which extend from end to end and constitute part of the stationary pianoforte underframe situated below the keyboard. 2 denotes a displaceable rectangular metal frame structure which is slidably disposed for lateral movement upon the fixed rail components I, l and adjacent each end of frame 2 and in the middle thereof are secured, either by welding or in any other appropriate manner,

transversely extending pairs of guide members spaced apart so as to provide a gap between each pair; the end pairs of guides are designated 3, it and the middle pair 4, 4

slidably disposed within each gap provided between said end pairs of guides is a metal runner member 5 and a similar runner 6 is fitted between the middle guide 4, 4 Secured on top of said runner members and 6, as by means of setscrews l, are spaced horizontal metal rails 8, 9having their rear edges bevelled or inclined as at 8 B -which carry said runners 5, 6 and are adapted to engage and disengage the keyboard from the action as hereinafter described.

Secured below the middle runner 6, by means of set-screws I 0, is a wooden block member H whereto is fixedly carried at its underside, by means of spaced brackets [2 an actuating rod [3 fitted with a hand knob I3 situated beyond the front edge of the stationary frame component I. The purpose of the rod l3, l3 is to slide the keyboard engaging and disengaging unit which comprisesblock ll, runners 5, 6 and horizontal rails 8, 9 backward and forward. In this movement the runners 5 and B slide within the respective guides 3, 3 and 4, 4 of the laterally movable frame 2.

The stationary Wooden frame components I, l are provided with transverse stiffening battens I 1 and to the underside of one of said battens, i. e. batten 1, there is rotatably disposed in spaced bearing brackets l4see more particularly Fig. 4a drum l5 which is rotated by a spindle 16. The rear end of spindle I6 is als rotatably disposed in a bearing bracket 17 secured to the underside of the stationary rear frame component l whilst a forward portion of the spindle rotatably passes through a similar bracket l'l secured to the underside of the front stationary frame component I. The foremost end of spindle 16 which extends beyond the front component l is provided with a hand knob 16.

Secured, as by means of screws 18*, to the underside of a guide rail 3 of the end pair of guides 3, 3 adjacent drum I5 is a wooden block member I8 whereto is secured at l9 one end of a wire cable or rope H! which is coiled around drum l 5 and has its other end similarly anchored at l9 to another block 18 similarly secured underneath the adjacent guide rail 4 of the middle pair of guides 4, 4 the arrangement being such that upon rotary movement being imparted to spindle l5 by its knob 16 drum [5 revolves in one direction or the other according to the direction in which knob I6 is rotated, such rotary movement of the drum transmitting slidable movement in a lateral direction and by way of the wire cable or rope [9 to the whole of the displaceable frame structure-comprising laterally movable frame 2, 3, 3 and 4, t and the keyboard disengaging unit 5, 6, 8, 9, II and I3- within the stationary frame components I, l

Secured to the underside of the front rail component l of the stationary frame is a block 20 which rigidly carries a plurality of forwardly extending metal fingers or teeth 2lsee Figs. 1, 5 and 6equidistantly spaced apart and having their forward ends tapered or pointed as at 2l Said spaced fingers 2| are adapted to cooperate with a vertical pin projection [3 affixed to the rod 13.

Mounted on top of the laterally movable frame 2, so as to move laterally as one therewith, is a rectangular frame 22shown detached in Fig. 7which carries the keyboard 23, a portion of which is shown in Fig. 7. Connection of the keyboard-carrying frame 22 with the lower and correspondingly shaped laterally movabl frame 2 may be effected by means of spaced pins 24 downwardly extending from the front rail of frame 22 and engaging in correspondingly spaced and apertures 2 in laterally movable frame 2.

The keyboard-carrying frame 22 includes horizontal wooden front and rear rails 22 22 respectively, connected at their ends by metal cross rails 25 and an intermediate Wooden horizontal rail 26 also secured to the cross rails 25. The keys 23 are connected with the intermediate horizontal wooden rail 26 by means of spaced pins 21 extending upwardly from the intermediate rail 26 and individually engaging in elongated slots 23 provided in the keys 23.

Fixedly mounted above intermediate wooden rail 26, by means of side blocks 26, is an upper horizontal wooden rail 28 which carries a pointer 29see Figs. 8 and l0adapted to move over a scale or indicator 30 fixedly carried by a horizontal rail 31 secured at each end to the respective stationary uprights 32 or other fixed part of the pianoforte frame.

The scale or indicator 30 may be marked with the required scale such as G-A'BC-DEF- the dots representing sharps or flats in the scale of C.

In the normal playing position, rod I3 is pushed inWardto locking positionso that its pin l3 engages between any of the spaced fingers 2|, and the rear end of rod l3which is pointed for this purposeengages a corresponding aperture of a series of correspondingly spaced apertures 33 provided in a plate 33 fixed to the adjacent inner side of the rear stationary frame component 1*. I

In this inward movement, block ll, runners 5 and 6 and front and rear rails 8, 9constituting the keyboard engaging and disengaging unitmove rearwardly so that the rails 8 and 9 engage under the adjacent frame members 22 26 of the keyboard-carrying frame 22, the foremost bevelled or inclined edges 8 9 of rails 8, 9 facilitating such engagement together with the adjacent edges of rails 22 26 being rounded or bevelled; such engagement of rails 8 and 9 under rails 22 26 of the keyboard-carrying frame has the effect of raising the latter with the keyboard 23 into striking position relative to the action of the instrument.

When it is required to vary the position of the keyboard 23 relative to the action and strings, rod I3 is pulled outwardly from looking position to effect disengagement of the laterally movable frame 2 from holding engagement with the plate 33 and fingers Zl so as to permit the frame 2- together with keyboard engaging and disengaging structure H, 5, 6, 8 and 9 the keyboard carrying frame 22 with keyboard 23to be slid either to right or left upon the stationary frame components I, l Such lateral movement of frame 2 is effected by rotating hand knob IS in one direction or the other which bodily moves the frame 2 and associated parts just referred to due to the ends of the wire cable or rope I9 being connected to the blocks [8 as before described.

In this lateral movement the pointer 29 also moves over the scale or indicator 30 and when the pointer registers with the key required for the instrument to be played in, the actuating knob I6 of spindle I6 is released and the other knob 13 is then pushed inwardly (to re-engage provided l3 engaging in the retaining plate 33 as before described.

In this manner the laterally movable frame 2 keyboard-carrying frame 22 are firmly locked in position relative'to the selected key, supporting frame when said keyboard frame is the correct position of the frame 2 carrying the keyboard 22 being ensured by the spacing of the fingers 2| and apertures 33 being accurately arranged relative to the stationary scale or indicator 30.

Slidable movement of frame 2 over fixed rail components I, I may be facilitated by interposing between these parts, runner strips or bearings or other friction reducing means, such as shown at 34.

With a displaceable keyboard arrangement under my invention it will be appreciated that a keyboard of a pianoforte, or other musical instrument with similar keyboard, may be readily disengaged from the note-actuating mechanism of the instrument preparatory to the lateral keyselecting movement being effected, and when the required key has been selected the frame can be re-engaged and securely locked in position.

It will be obvious that various alterations or modifications may be made to the present displaceable keyboard structure without departure from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims; for instance, I may impart the requisite backward and forward movement to the keyboard engaging and disengaging unit by way of other means such as a hand or foot actuated lever device, pivotal link arrangements, or rack and pinion transmission, in lieu of the direct push and pull handle device l3, l3 before described. Moreover, pieces of felt or other shook-absorbing means may be fitted for engagement at the extreme positions of the laterally movable frame and the keyboard engaging and disengaging unit.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A combination with a pianoforte having a supporting frame and a keyboard for the action mechanism of the pianoforte, means for shifting said keyboard upon said supporting frame and indicating its position relative to the action mechanism of the pianoforte comprising a laterally movable frame slidably mounted upon said supporting frame, a keyboard engaging and disengaging frame slidably supported upon said laterally movable frame, the keyboard being mounted upon said keyboard engaging and disengaging frame, means for sliding said keyboard engaging and disengaging frame whereby the keyboard mounted thereupon may be raised and lowered, means for locking said laterally movable frame against movement when said keyboard is in its lowermost position, means for transmitting a lateral sliding movement to said laterally movable frame when the same is released from said locking means and said keyboard is raised to its elevated position and means for indicating the position of said keyboard with respect to said supporting frame of the pianoforte.

2. A displaceable keyboard for musical instruments comprising a supporting frame, a laterally movable frame mounted upon said supporting frame, an intermediate frame laterally movable upon said laterally movable frame, manually controlled means for shifting said intermediate frame laterally upon said laterally movable frame, locking means operable by said manually controlled means for retaining at times said intermediate and laterally movable frames against movement, a keyboard frame mounted upon said intermediate frame, means for raising and lowering said keyboard frame upon said intermediate frame and manually operable means .for shifting said keyboard frame with respect to said in its elevated position.

13. In combination, a pianoforte comprising a main frame, a laterally movable frame mounted upon said main frame, an intermediate frame slidably mounted upon said laterally movable frame, a keyboard mounted upon and carried by said intermediate frame, a drum mounted for rotation upon said main frame, a cable having its intermediate portion coiled about said drum, the opposed ends of said cable being connected to said intermediate frame, manually operable means for rotating said drum whereby said laterally movable and intermediate frames and keyboard carried thereby may be moved laterally with respect to said main frame and means for designating the position of said keyboard with respect to said main frame.

4. A displaceable keyboard for musical instruments comprising a stationary frame, a keyboard movably mounted with respect to said stationary frame, a keyboard engaging and disengaging means, a Visible indicator for indicating the position of said keyboard with respect to said stationary frame, a plurality of teeth fixedly.

mounted upon said stationary frame, said teeth being spaced from one another and the spacing of said teeth being in accordance with said visible indicator, means for manually operating said keyboard engaging and disengaging device and a pin carried by said manually operable means for engaging at times said teeth whereby said keyboard will be retained against movement with respect to said stationary frame.

5. A pianoforte comprising in combination a stationary frame, a rectangular frame mounted for lateral movement upon said stationary frame, a pair of horizontally positioned rails mounted for lateral movement upon said rectangular frame, said rails having bevelled edges, a keyboard-carrying frame mounted upon said rectangular frame, manually operable means for laterally shifting said rails whereby the bevelled edges thereof may engage under said keyboardcarrying frame for elevating the latter with respect to said rectangular frame, manually operable means for laterally shifting said rectangular frame and said keyboard-carrying frame mounted thereupon when the latter is in its ele vated position and means for locking against lateral movement said rectangular frame and said keyboard-carrying frame mounted thereupon when the latter is in its lowered position.

6. A pianoforte comprising in combination a stationary frame, a rectangular frame mounted for sliding movement upon said stationary frame, an intermediate frame comprising a pair of fixed rails, each having a bevelled edge, guide members formed with said rectangular frame, runners formed with said intermediate frame and slidably mounted within said guide members, a keyboard-carrying frame mounted upon said rectangular frame, a block depending from said intermediate frame, a manually operable rod slidably mounted upon said block whereby said rails may be at times shifted with respect to said rectangular frame and the bevelled edges of said rails caused to engage under said keyboard-carrying frame for raising the same with respect to said rectangular frame, means carried by said stationary frame and engageable at times by said rod for locking said rectangular frame and keyboard-carrying frame mounted thereupon against movement with respect to said stationary frame, a manually rotatable drum supported by said secured to and supported upon said stationary frame, a scale arranged upon said horizontal rail, a pointer carried by said keyboard-carrying frame and cooperating with said scale for visibly indicating the position of said keyboard-carrying frame.

WILLIAM GEORGE BEAVER. 

